Vivian Sinclair

Mother Vivian Sinclair was born on September 3, 1940, in Pittsburgh, PA, and went home to be with the Lord on February 1, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents James and Irma Edwards, and daughter Omega September Sinclair. She was full of life, love, and laughter. In the early 1960s she became the first African American window dresser at what was then, Halle’s Brothers Department store near Public Square.

Mama Vivian loved to sing and had an angelic voice; while many of today’s singers are found on shows like America’s Got Talent and others, Miss Fifi as she was well known, received her early notoriety on the then local talent show, The Gene Carroll Show, and placed 2nd in the talent show, where she also performed as a Contortionist.

She received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Melbourne, FL., where she was baptized by the late Pastor K. Frink and her son Rev. Miguel A. Edwards Sr. When she came back to Cleveland, she joined the Emmanuel Christian Center under the late Bishop Willie J. Marbury. She later joined the Second St. John Missionary Baptist Church. She made herself available as a caregiver to so many young mothers and families, while many had to work or run errands, Mother Sinclair would care for them like her own.

As Mother Sinclair’s health declined, she became a resident of Woodside Assisted Living, but was a faithful servant of the Lord tuning into Christian broadcasts. She loved her old-time westerns and other early TV programming. She leaves to cherish her memories: one son, Miguel A. Edwards Sr., three grandchildren, Camisa Cole, Miguel Edwards Jr., and Alexandrea Nicole Edwards, three great-grandchildren Maxwell Vilmane, Miguel Edwards III, and Elijah Cole; one brother Albie Abdullah. Along with a host of other relatives and friends.